1/05/03
More than 70 mature-aged and semi-skilled workers, most of them in the Kalgoorlie area, are fast tracking their apprenticeships to meet skills shortages in the resources industry under the Fast Track Apprenticeship Program.
Education and Training Minister Alan Carpenter said today the program had proved so successful it would be extended for a further year.
"Western Australia's strong economic growth underpins the Gallop Government's recent commitment to creating 125,000 jobs over the next five years," Mr Carpenter said.
"Programs such as Fast Track are invaluable in developing a highly skilled and educated workforce so that Western Australians are suitably equipped to take advantage of these emerging jobs."
Fast Track is run jointly by the Department of Education and Training and the Metals Manufacturing and Services Industry Training Council to alleviate a shortage of boiler makers, plant mechanics, mechanical fitters and electrical instrumentation tradespeople.
Eyre MLA John Bowler said he was delighted to see the Fast Track program extended for another year.
"I have been working with local industry to help them overcome skills shortages ranging across several areas," Mr Bowler said.
"This is exactly the type of proactive response we need to meet the demands of the resources industry in the Goldfields, as well as those in other resource regions throughout WA."
Mr Carpenter said workers who were mature-aged or had the relevant skills and experience but lacked qualifications were fast tracked through an apprenticeship and received flexible on-the-job training.
"These workers already have many skills and need to undertake training for a much shorter time to complete their apprenticeships," he said.
"As a result, Fast Track provides more tradespeople in a shorter time to meet the demands generated by resources projects.
"Fast Track not only addresses resources industry skills shortages but is an opportunity for industry and training providers to work more closely with each other.
"It is hoped Fast Track can be used in other industries with skills shortages."
Mr Carpenter said the Gallop Government was committed to improving the skills base of all Western Australians without any perceived age barrier.
"If a 15-year-old wants to learn a trade, or a 45-year-old wants to improve literacy or numeracy skills, our education and training sector should be able to accommodate them both," he said.
"We have also committed to an additional 1,250 apprenticeships and traineeships each year to a target of 25,000 by 2006.
"The involvement of industry in achieving these outcomes is critical and I applaud WA employers for their initiative and foresight in realising the benefits training provides and the importance of a highly skilled workforce."
Minister's office: 9213 6800
